Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-28
FLORIDA LETTER.

o IT. ANDREWS BAY, Jan. u. 1857.
: EblToR RECORD AND FRIENDS Al
I, ALMA -
rs you have threatened dire pun.
'Shiheht II some of our party do not
Wilte, to avoid my share of said ppm.
lShment' will give you little informa-
ton lnregard to our journey to Florida.
lhe principal points were Toledo. Gin
clnnatl, Louisville, Nashville. Mont
gomery and Pensacola. where we ar
rived Dee. !. Remaining there until
Ihe itl, saw many novel sights, and a
rare one-roses of every hue blooming
III the open air. The gentlemen chart
eied small steamboat, and all OF onr
party, except Mr.. Ely, who was quite
III, went to Fort Pickens, where Ger
ohlha ana sixteen other braves" are
imprisoned. They are hard looking
set, and are treated far better than
'hey deserve. Gcronima bore our in
Spectl0n with true Indian stocism. lie
Is or medium size, quite dark, with re
J malkobly small feet and hands. The
Indians all wore white or red bands of
cloth around the head and most of
them had a dash of white paint across
the checks. Their costumes were
quite fantastic.
We had fine view Of the bay from
The top of the Fort, which is situated
on an island about twelve miles from
Pensacola. Returning. we stopped at
the |. ;. Navy Yard, which is a beau
tiful place, with fine residences, broad
streets nicely paved and live oaks
shading the walks The sun set in all |
It's glory as We embarked for home |
We saw a large school of porpoise
gliding gracefully by the boat, some
times lcaping ahead several feet before |
entering the water The rest of the |
trip was completed by moonlight. \
boat ride by moonlight, in December.
was considered quite treat by Mich
iganders."
Ut p. IN. VIC boarded the schooner
''Nettie.' \ brisk rain was falling
and a decided gale was blowing, so the
nyalids were banished to the cabin.
Our equilibrium became somewhat dis
turbed 10y the changed motion of the
boat as 1t entered the deep water. Wei
soon become convinced that our berthsl
were the most comfortable part Of the
boat. and retired, taking an ample sup
ply of pills, which were found conyen-
ent generally. y gentleman went
'yer with us from Pensacola, who said {
le had faced death in every form, but |
lreaded sea-sicknesS worse than any-j
hing else He was soon heard ask
NJ If camphor rubbed on the stomach
Would not prove beneficial. When told ~
hat nothing but smooth water would
eIp him, he plunged head foremost IN
lto his berth. and the last We saw of
i'm was the soles of pair Of numbcrI
EN- boots as he disappeared. At 9 a. m. b
Dec. ., we landed at st. Andrews Bay. ;,
Il snow storm that would do home
lck Yankee good TO see. Our hastyl,
reparations for an absence Of several IN
lonthS from home, and our long journ- el
" had been accomplished with much tC
earmesS | WAS i'll and disappointed VI
the sunny South, and for an in o.,
lyldual who has always professed to cl
oubt the efficacy Of tears, had III
hgularly strong enclination To cry.
mt IN few days the sun was shining
rightly and everything looked pleas
mt. The ladies douned their sun hats IL
carried parasols while strolling on
le beach or sailing on the bay. We J..
opped at the Magnolia House a o,
eek, then took possession of ourl
ONES which are situated on a bluff
icing the bay. They are tents. and
coupled by the Rorabacker, Turck and
ogers families. We have the Gargett '"
nd Ilumbert families for neighbors.
II. Best and Mr.. Gilfels are keeping
hall in another part of the
Is by the sea. The live oak trees. Sc
it'll long. trailing moss hanging to the "a
'anches, and the magnolias, with II,
eir large, green leaves, SO bright ahd
ossy, make teautiful pictures on our
mt moonlight nights. tn
l. will leave the description of st. 70
ndrew's Bay to some who has seen We
ore of twill only say, we have to-
enty of elbow-room, if nothing else FL
we have the bay for a bath tub, and
Florida for back yard wi
With kind regards to all. and espec- No
ly the RECORD, remain, ea'
Respectfully yours. lew lev
ROSE ROGERS. DE